The Los Angeles Chargers initially placed running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve with the expectation he could miss six weeks of action.
However, it seems Ekeler's hamstring injury might be worse than previously stated.
Ekeler was first diagnosed with a hamstring strain after leaving the Chargers' Week 4 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday the injury is “very serious” while noted the team will be cautious with Ekeler, adding he will back “later rather than sooner,” per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
Anthony Lynn said RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) will be back "later rather than sooner." Lynn called Ekeler's injury "very serious." #Chargers
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 21, 2020
It would be a crippling blow for the Chargers' offense to be without Ekeler for a more extended period of time.
Los Angeles signed Ekeler to an extension this past offseason after a 2019 in which he tallied over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. The 25-year-old's explosive playmaking as a receiver out of the backfield made him another weapon in a unit already containing Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry.
Indeed, Ekeler got his 2020 campaign off to a fast start. He had racked up 378 yards from scrimmage through the first three games of the season, and was coming off his best game of the year entering the showdown with the Bucs.
But things now seem to be trending towards Ekeler perhaps sitting out the remainder of the season. The Chargers have been competitive in every game, but they are just 1-4, and certainly on the outside looking in when it comes to the AFC playoff picture.
Los Angeles might elect to hold Ekeler out the remainder of the year if the injury is indeed this serious, especially if the Chargers are struggling to compete for a playoff spot.
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